Curriculum
Growing in Educational Excellence
Black Hawk Middle School students have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of subject areas in courses and activities designed to meet the needs of middle-level learners. The core curriculum for middle school students is closely aligned with state standards and includes math, science, social studies and English language arts. Students also study in a variety of elective areas beyond the core content areas, which are also aligned to state and national standards.
All curriculum is reviewed regularly through a districtwide curricular review process. At Black Hawk, we are committed to providing our students with the support they need to see the infinite possibilities that await them in high school and beyond.
Core Curriculum
English/Language Arts
We believe that literacy is thinking, and we strive to support the growth of our students as lifelong learners and critical thinkers. We are committed to building strong foundations in literacy for all of our learners through responsive instruction and early intervention while providing opportunities for choice, voice, and inquiry.
An effective language arts program supports learners in developing strategic actions in order to make meaning while engaging with a wide variety of texts, multiple perspectives and cultures, and collaborative learning experiences.
Our instructional units are grounded in the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in English Language Arts concentrating on literature, informational text, writing, speaking, viewing, listening, media literacy and language.
We believe language arts instructional practices should foster the joy of literacy while being responsive to the cultures, language, and experiences that learners bring to the classroom community.
Standards
mR. hULING
7th Grade English
Roger.Huling@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85604
mS. lAbAHN
7th Grade English
Tiffany.LaBahn@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85547
mS. lANDER
8th Grade English
Amy.Lander@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85561
mR. mCcAY
8th Grade English
Michael.McCay@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85572
For information about the 8th Grade Washington DC trip: https://blackhawkdctrip.shutterfly.com/
mR. mCdONALD
7th Grade English
Sam.McDonald@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85564
Ms. pixler
6th Grade English
Alana.Pixler@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969,
ext. 82731
mS. Schnobrich
6th Grade Reading Specialist
angela.schnobrich@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85563
Mr. Bosiacki
8th Grade Communications
Grant.Bosiacki@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 82239
Ms. Williams-Mueller
7th Grade Communications
Caley.Williams-Mueller@district196.org
Math
Connecting mathematical experiences to the world around them, children are challenged to become increasingly sophisticated in dealing with mathematical concepts. The mathematics curriculum builds on students’ math understanding, skills, and proficiency at each grade level, as appropriate, by integrating concepts such as number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. Students also engage in problem solving, reasoning, and communicating ideas while making connections to the world around them.
Standards
mS. Bernhardt
6th Grade Math
April.Bernhardt@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85558
mS. dehncke
7th Grade Math
Jessica.Dehncke@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85515
mS. STANG
8th Grade Math
Rachel.Stang@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969,
ext. 85554
mS. Karnick
7th and 8th Grade Math
Michelle.Karnick@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85502
mS. Thompson
7th Grade Math
Megan.Thompson@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969,
ext. 85517
Science
Science is the active study of the natural and man-made world, including processes, structures, designs, and systems. Science students use their senses and tools to observe, record and analyze data about the world and make conclusions based on evidence. Scientifically literate young people can understand basic science concepts, use skills for doing scientific investigations, solve technical problems, and design technologies for today’s world. – Minnesota Department of Education
Standards
mS. Digre
7th Grade Science
Monica.Digre@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85537
mr. Dougherty
6th Grade Science
Michael.Dougherty@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85580
mR. Fritz
6th Grade Science
Jason.Fritz@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969,
ext. 82294
mS. Gogala
8th Grade Science
Stephanie.Gogala@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85553
mS. Lee
7th Grade Science
Shannon.Lee@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85608
mS. Schendel
8th Grade Science
Amanda.Schendel@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85503
Social Studies
We are committed to developing future citizens who are informed and able to contribute to our democratic system. The social studies curriculum provides the opportunity for each student to acquire knowledge; gain a deeper appreciation of the commonalities and the diversity which makes our national and world societies culturally unique, and develop skills necessary for responsible social, political and economic participation in a diverse, interdependent and changing world. A variety of integrated experiences drawing on such disciplines as history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology and anthropology enables students to function effectively and contribute constructively within society.
At BHMS, students will study three different social studies courses: Minnesota Studies (6th grade), American Studies (7th grade), and Global Studies (8th grade). Throughout these courses students will gain both historical and global perspective, while developing literacy skills and critical thinking.
Standards
mr. Beckman
6th Grade Minnesota Studies
Brady.Beckman@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85535
mR. Fredrickson
8th Grade Global Studies
Kyle.Fredrickson@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 84467
mr. HEREM
7th Grade American Studies
David.Herem@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85524
mS. lipinski
7th Grade American Studies
Lauren.Lipinski@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85546
mr. Plucker
7th Grade American Studies
Carl.Plucker@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85569
mr. Rosten
8th Grade Global Studies
John.Rosten@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85566
mS. Schierenbeck
6th Minnesota Studies
Heather.Schierenbeck@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 82247
Spanish
Courses
- AVID
- Communications
- English Learners
- FACS
- Gifted and Talent Development
- Library
- Music
- Physical Education
- Reading
- Special Education
- Tech Education
AVID
The AVID acronym stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. This is a nationally-recognized educational approach that ensures all students are successful in rigorous curriculum.
AVID in the secondary setting equips our teachers with what they need to help students in the academic middle succeed on a path to college and career success.
Communications
Mr. Bosiacki
8th Grade Communications
Grant.Bosiacki@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 82239
Ms. Williams-Mueller
7th Grade Communications
Caley.Williams-Mueller@district196.org
English Learners
The EL English class will focus on reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students will bring a book of their own choosing to read in zone reading every day. Students may bring their own books, or find books in the classroom library or during weekly visits to the school media center. In addition, we will read from a variety of texts, including novels, poetry, current events in Scholastic Action magazine and on Newsela, articles, plays, picture books, and short stories.
Students are expected to express their ideas in writing for a variety of purposes, including school reports, compare and contrast, persuade, teach, show sequence, inform, entertain, cause and effect, reflect on their own learning and experiences. Students will learn to actively listen to others in school to build community, friendships, deepen their learning experiences, and grow as people. Students will express themselves verbally for a variety of purposes, both socially and academically, informally and formally.
Students will actively engage in building their vocabularies to expand their abilities to express themselves verbally and in writing. We will also have some time for homework assistance.
mS. Antanovich
Foundations of English
Natallia.Antanovich@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 83498
mS. Carr
Intermediate English
Alisha.Carr@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85559
FACS
Gifted and Talent Development
Library
Ms. Ninteman and Ms. Edelman welcome YOU to the library!!
You are invited to come to the library anytime during school hours. Remember to bring a pass during the school day. Come browse through our collection, get book recommendations, check out books, use the computers, ask questions, do research, or just read quietly.
Please feel free to stop by the Media Center Desk to ask questions!
Ms. edelman
Library Clerk
Jill.Edelman@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-8528
Availability: 10:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Ms. NintemaN
Library Media Specialist
Julianne.Ninteman@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-8528
Availability: 7:15-11:15 a.m.
Music
We have a thriving music department at BHMS and many opportunities for students to be involved in music. We offer both band and choir. Learn more about BAND at BHMS >
Mr. anderson
6th and 7th Grade Band
Joshua.Anderson@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969
ext. 85518
ms. cox
Choir
Megan.Cox@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969
ext. 88627
MS. Hoff
6th and 8th Grade Band
Michelle.Hoff@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969
ext.
55821
Physical Education
BHMS Physical Education Belief Statement:
"Physical Education contributes to the lifelong development of the student by providing opportunities which positively impact and increase the intellectual, social, emotional and physical fitness of a student."
Mr. hellquist
7th Grade Health and Physical Education
Paul.Hellquist@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969,
ext. 82437
Mr. jaeb
8th Grade Physical Education
Allen.Jaeb@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969,
ext. 86429
Ms. Smrekar
6th Grade Physical Education
Bonnie.Smrekar@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969,
ext. 86779
Reading
Ms. Banz
Strategic Reading
Julie.Banz@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 82236
MS. Grandbois
Strategic Reading
Shelly.Grandbois@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969,
ext. 85154
Ms. mallory
Reading Specialist and Academic Coordinator
Lori.Mallory@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969,
ext. 84358
Special Education
District 196 and BHMS special education educators are committed to equitable opportunities through high quality practices to accelerate growth for all students. We provide a full continuum of services for students with disabilities at BHMS.
Ms. Banz
Special Education Resource Teacher
Strategic Reading
Julie.Banz@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 82236
mS. Dietel
SMI Teacher Center Based Program
Angela.Dietel@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85536
mr. Erickson
Special Education Study Skills
Jeffrey.Erickson@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 82287
Ms. Johnson
Special Education
Paula.Johnson@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 86797
mr. McCabe
Special Education
Patrick.McCabe@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 82332
mS. Mohrhauser
Special Education
Alex.Mohrhauser@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969,
ext. 37581
mS. Karnick
7th and 8th Grade Math
Michelle.Karnick@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85502
mS. Nicol
School Psychologist
Amy.Nicol@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 55825
ms. Stang
Special Education
Jennifer.Stang@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85510
mS. Mark
Special Education
Katlynne.Mark@district196.org
Phone: 651-683-6969, ext. 85557